Huntsville Hospital gives away $500,000 to 14 local charities

HUNTSVILLE, AL -- Several local charities dedicated to keeping people healthy have half-a-million reasons to smile today.

On Tuesday, Huntsville Hospital awarded 14 Community Health Initiative grants totaling $500,000. The program has now given away more than $6.1 million since its 1996 launch.

"These agencies are able to help us take health care outside the walls of the hospital," spokesman Burr Ingram said. "Many of them have struggled through the recession, and we're very pleased we can support them.

"For some, it's the difference between having a program and not having a program."Below is a list of grant winners:

• Community Free Clinic, $120,000. For a nurse practitioner, medications for the homeless clinic and the Purchased Pharmacy Fund.

• Health Establishments at Local Schools (HEALS), $95,000. To help staff the school-based medical clinics with nurse practitioners, registered nurses and a part-time physician.

• New Hope Children's Clinic, $82,000. For salaries, medicine and other supplies at the clinic, which provides free or low-cost care to kids from New Hope, Owens Cross Roads and Gurley.

• Care Assurance System for the Aging & Homebound (CASA), $70,000. For durable medical equipment, education and training, and a portion of staffing costs.

• Mental Health Center of Madison County, $35,000. For a full-time therapist to provide mental health services in the Huntsville school system.

• The Arc of Madison County, $15,000. For medical and dental procedures for children with developmental disabilities or adults with intellectual disabilities.